Cube corner cavity based retroreflectors with transparent fill material
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsKenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson, James C. Coderre, Cheryl M. Frey, Bruce B. Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. A reflective film is disposed at least on the recessed faces, and a fill material fills the cube corner cavities. The fill material comprises radiation-curable materials, adhesives, or both, and preferably transparent radiation-curable pressure-sensitive adhesives. The fill material preferably forms a continuous layer covering both the recessed faces and upper portions of the structured surface. A transparent cover layer preferably contacts the fill material layer.
Claims34
A retroreflective article, comprising:
- a body layer having a structured surface comprising recessed faces that define cube corner cavities;
- a reflective film disposed at least on the recessed faces;
- and
- a transparent adhesive layer that fills the cube corner cavities.
A retroreflective article, comprising:
- a body layer having a structured surface comprising recessed faces that define cube corner cavities;
- a reflective film disposed at least on the recessed faces;
- and
- a layer of flowable radiation-curable composition that fills the cube corner cavities.
A method of making a cube corner article, comprising:
- providing a body layer having a structured surface that includes recessed faces defining cube corner cavities;
- applying a film of reflective material at least to the recessed faces;
- applying to the structured surface a flowable composition suitable for forming a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive;
- and
- exposing the composition to radiation sufficient to crosslink the composition after the composition has filled the cube corner cavities.
A method of making a cube corner article, comprising:
- providing a body layer having a structured surface that includes recessed faces defining cube corner cavities;
- applying a film of reflective material to the recessed faces;
- applying to the structured surface a radiation-curable composition suitable for bonding to the film of reflective material;
- and
- exposing the composition to radiation sufficient to crosslink the composition after the composition has filled the cube corner cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.